Bag



Sept'.-7, 1937. L J. FINN ET AL 2,092,602

BAG

Filed Jan. 20, 1956' 4 Sheets-Sheet .1

BAG

Fild Jan. 20,1936 4 Sheets$heet 2 Sept. 7, 1937. I ET AL I I I I I I l I I I 7 HI Sept. 7, 1937. L. J. FINN ET AL 2,092,502

. BAG

Filed 20, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Sept. 7, 1937. L. J. FINN AL BAG Filed Jan. 20; 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. l2. ,6,

Patented Sept. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES BAG 7 Louis J. Finn, Peoria, m. andArnoid N. Weeks, Boston, Mass, assignors to Bemis Bro. Bag 00., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application January 20, 1936, Serial No. 59,874

17 Claims. This invention relates to bags generally, and

with regard to certain more specific features, to

multiply. paper bags.

Amongthe several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of means for providing a. full mouth opening for filling purposes and at the same time providing for a predetermined conformation of closure of the bag mouth after filling; the provision of means for obtaining said predetermined conformation of closure by a simple set of manipulations; the provision of a bag of the class described which has all of the means for attaining the said ends located out of sight between the plies of the bag so as to present a smooth exterior and a smooth interior; the provision of a bag of the class described which presents a neat appearance after ultimate closure; and the provision of a bag of this class which is simple and economical to manufacture. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in thefollowing claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated several of various possible embodiments of the invention, w

a Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the application to a gusseted bag of one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the bag mouth of Fig. 1 showing the same in more extended position for filling;

Fig. 3 is across section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, diagrammatically illustrated;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary 'view similar to Fig. 2 showing a folding manipulation upon a filled bag;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing the ultimate appearance of the corner of a filled and closed bag;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified conformation of the invention per se;

Figi'l is a view similar to Fig. 4 but referring ,to the Fig. 6 form of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but referring to the Fig. 6 form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the invention applied to a non-gusseted bag;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but illustrating the non-gusseted bag; I

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but illustrating the non-gusseted bag;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of a flatly folded blank of another bag showing another form of the inventions, parts being broken away;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the Fig. 12 form of the invention, showing a filled bag after a first closing step;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 showing a second closing step;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 13 showing a third closing step; and,

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 13 illustrating a fourth closing step and the final appearance of the Fig. 12 form of bag.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In both gusseted and non-gusseted bags, particulariy of the multi-ply paper variety, closure difliculties have been encountered after filling. This difliculty has been caused by the fact that upon filling, the edges of the bag bulge outwardly, and this bulging effect extends'to the ends of the mouth of the bag. Thereafter, it becomes difiicult to properly manipulate the more or less constrained mouth to provide, without crumpling, the proper folds for obtaining the type of closure desired.

A solution to the above problem has been suggested, namely, to clip the mouth of the bag at the ends to hold the gusset or the like, and so to prevent disarran'gement of the same. This constricts the bag mouth so that filling is hindered and it requires an unsightly, extraneous clip or the like, which interferes with closure seaming and, unless the clip is torn from the bag by the user, it interferes with pouring from the mouth. These clips also may loosen and enter the product in the bag. The present invention provides for a maximum bag mouth opening during filling and emptying, and provides a ready and quick means for effecting a neat closure for various classes of bags.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown generally at numeral l a multi-ply paper bag of the gusseted variety. The faces of the bag are illustrated at numerals 3 and the gussets generally at numerals 5, each gusset 5 comprising panels 1 respectively hinged to the respective faces 3 of the bag at the creases 9, and hinged to one another at the creases I l. Thus a bellows-like, expansible construction is obtained.

The bag comprises four laminations of paper 13 which are generally free of one another throughout substantially the entire juxtaposed areas. In effect, each multi-ply paper bag is a are known.

composite of four paper bags, one arranged inside of another. The advantages of such bags Other numbers of plies may also be used.

In order to carry out the invention, we provide between adjacent plies, limited, predeterminately shaped areas of adhesive, spaced from one another or equivalently related to one another for the purpose of constraining the region about the mouth of the bag to flex along predeterminate lines, instead of flexing by indeterminate crum pling. For instance, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, triangular areas of adhesive [5 are positioned to adhere to adjacent plies. In a given area, there are three layers ofadhesive integrating the four juxtaposed layers of paper. I However, each triangle of adhesive has a. limited area and a definite shape which corresponds to the shape of the area of adhesive between adjacent plies. The

areas I5 are spaced to .permit flexing at crease H. At I1 is illustrated another group of juxtaposed, triangular adhesive areas between adjacent plies. These are spaced from one'another to permit flexing at said crease l I.also at creases 9, and provide for. subsequent bending or creasing along lines 23 (Figs. 2 and 5) At l9 are juxtaposed. areas of adhesive between adjacent plies, of paper. These arespaced from areas I! to provide for flexing at creaseil. At 2.! isillustrated another group of adhesive'areas.

' As illustrated in. Figs. 1' and "2 the areas of adhesive maintain the integrated areasof paper relatively stiff but they do notinterfere with the free opening of the bag'from the 1 position to that shown in Fig. 2 (by flexing along folds 9 and II ,whereu'pon [it maybe filled. Filling is accomplished to a level approximately up to'the lower edges Lof'the a'dhesivearea 15,19.

Then, by pressing at about point P (see Figs. 2 and 4) the parts of the gusset 5' adjacentthe mouth of the bag may 'readily" be'pushed inwardly. This is because the relatively rigid areas obtained by interposing the adhesiveare spaced from one another to provide for free folding along folds 9, ll and alon'g lines 23 and'Li The relatively rigid areas of adhesive' do not crumple and thus they predetermine the-folding action.

It is to be understood that corresponding operations (illustrated in Fig. 4) take place on opposite ends of the-mouthbf-the'bag. Thereafter the edges 3i of the bag mouth'become positioned adjacent one another. A closure tape 3311s then applied thereover and either with or without-adhesive, is sewed along the line 35.- Downward pressure then results in a free fold along the line 31, as determined bytthe upper edges of the adhesive areas I!) and 2|. The fold L on the bag sides and corners is thus also determined. 7

From the above, it will beseen that the invention provides for relatively stiff, hinged invisible panels which permit of free opening of the bag mouth for filling and" easy collapsing of the same without crumpling, but along: definite lines of folding, which simplifies the closing operation and ultimately presents a much neater appearance, It should be'noted that although a limited length of lower edge 39 isprovided on. each panel I9. in order to localize the three-way bend at each corner-H, said edge 39. may be extended across the-width of the bagpby extending down the panels 2|, thus to more positively determine a crosswise fold parallel to fold 31.

In Fig 6 is shown the same type of bag as shown inFigs. 1. to 5, but'the areas of' ladhesive between paper plies are shaped as a pair of rectangles 43 in each panel 1 of each gusset 5. and a. pair of rectangles are used in the sides 3 of the bag wall and spaced from the pairs 43. The rectangles of adhesive 2| are retained.

After filling the Fig. 6 form of bag, it is formed as shown in Fig. 7 by pressing from opposite ends of the mouth, whereupon the folds 9 and H are determined; also fold L. There is no diagonal fold corres ionding to the fold 23 in the first form of the invention, but the rectangles being sepa rate thin strips, vertically arranged, tend to curl freely as shown at 2 (Fig. 8).

Figs. 9 to 11 show the adhesive-area conformations of Figs. 1 to 5 applied to a non-gusseted bag, In this class of bag, there is only one original fold II on each bag edge, and no folds corresponding to those shown at 9 in Fig. 1. Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts.

The operation of this Fig-9 to 11 bag is in general similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 8 and is different only in particulars. This bag'mouth is opened for filling, and thereafter, upon endwise pressure at the mouth, the mouth may be closed as shown in Figs. 10 and 11. The chief difference is thatareas 'l'! and IS determine a new fold, instead of onlyfreely permitting fiexing of afold such as 9 inxFigs. 1-5.

The invention is quite as useful on the nongusseted bag-s as'it is'upon-the gusseted ones, forit provides for stiff panels which prevent indeterminate crumpling and provides, for determinate relationships between areas.

' In'Figs. 12 to l6is shown another form of non- "gusseted bag in which the adhesive areas are distributed as follows: "Rectangular adhesive areas are placed adjacent one another'on' opposite sides of the empty bag[ with their inner edges spaced to permit of "folding at lines l-I' when the bag is opened. Their outer edges permit of 'folding at lines 59 and adjacent the said lines 53 are quadrilateral adhesive areas 6!, which with the spaced triangular adhesive area 63 'on each side of the bag, leave adhesive free notches 55 at the. centers of the upper edges 'of the bag. The adhesive-free notches at 65 provide for folding functions to be described, .The operation of the closure of the Figs. 12 to .16 form of the invention-is illustrated 'inFigs. 13 to '1'6, 'and is as follows:

The bag having been filled to near the level at line L, one edge of the open mouth is pushed down by pressing the two rectangles 55 as shown in Fig, 13. Folding is'along lines'L and 59. Second, the opposite two rectangles 55 are pressed down as shown in Fig. 14., It will be seen that in order .to fold down the second two rectangles there should be the adhesive-free notches 65.

Next, one triangular side area 63 is folded down as shown in Fig. 15, and then as shown in Fig. 16,

the other triangular side flap 63 is folded down.

The closure may be held shut by suitably applying adhesive, or bytying or otherwise. s It will be understood that the exact method of holding the bag shut after-closure is not the gist an indeterminate 'crumpling- It is to be further understood that the number of plies is inconsequential, four being generally used, but that the invention is applicable to twoply bags andlothers. Furthermore, it is appli-- cable not only to multi-ply paper bags, but also to multi-ply fabric bags or multi-ply fabric and paperbags. It is also to be understood that adhesive areas may be used in between a number of pairs of plies less than the whole number of pairs of plies used. For instance, in a four-ply bag, only two layers of adhesive may be used, rather than three 11 as shown in Fig. 3. Such a. form would partake of most of the advantages of the invention, although the best results are obtained by adhering all plies over a givenarea. I a v The invention is also seem, but toasmaller degree, on a single ply b by applying jareasof adhesive asoutlinedherein', eitherinside or out side ofthe bag. This provides thev advantages of'predetermined' shaping of, the bag uponlclosing,

although therear'e the disadvantagesfthat the' adhesive areaswill be'exposed if'placed on the outside of the bag, or will come into contact with the contained goods if placedon the in side'.

It will tenured that'inthe'ffoiins H v v .t iIlQthelfin f rmer the closure for the; rn'qu h of the bag is oping with an'upper saland intucks at the ends of jth al In, all forms no, distortion mandates lowermost edges ofthe groups frornithel 'slcope of-Ithe I "that, all main I sist'ing'" of substantially predetermined, outlines, 2. In a multi-plvbag, a'plurality' of areas of adhesive located between at least two adjacent plies, said areas having edges ata. common distance from the mouth of the bag and aplurality offsaid areas having a common lower level near the edges of the bag and all areas being so spaced from one another so that upon closure of thebag mouth, a sloping-topped closure isobtained with predetermined intucks at the ends thereof.

3. In a multi-ply bag having folded edges, a plurality ofspaced areas of adhesive between at least two plies, all of said areas having upper edges spaced at a common distance from the mouth, and adjacent areas being spaced from one another at said bag edges to provide for. free opening of saidmouth at thefolded'edges, said adhesive areas permitting .free closure-of said mouth along a predetermined conformation after filling of the bag. 1 l 1 F 4. A multi-ply bag having a mout'h and edge folds, comprising a plurality of spaced areas of adhesive between at least, two plies, the upper edges of said areas having a common distance from the mouth, and adjacent areas at the edge folds being spaced to permit free hinging along the folds wherebythe bag may readily be opened adhesive between at least two plies, the upper edgesv of said areas having a common distance from the edge of the mouth of the bag, and adjacent areas at the gussets being spaced to permit free hinging along the gusset folds whereby the bag may readily be opened and closed, and said areas adjacent the gusset-folds having linear I spacings therebetween to provide for free intucking after filling and before closure.

6. A bag having an open mouth and pre-iolded edges, means for readily closing said mouth after filling off't he bag comprising a plurality of stiffened regions adjacent said mouth and at each edge, said stiffened regions being spaced from one another to predeterminately confine flexing along lines includingportions of said edges.

'7; 'Abag'having an open mouth and pre-folded edges, "gussets at said edges, means for readily closing said mouth after filling of the bag comprising: a; plurality of stiffened regions in said .gussets,' said stifiened regions being spaced from I one another to predeterminately confine flexing "along liries"fincluding portions of said edges.

8: a'rn'u'lti-ply" paper bag having creased side g'ussets and -a mouth," predeterminately shaped aridj spaced'nreas of'adhesive between at least sorrie' pliesysaid adhesive areas being spaced from "one" anothffalong lines atthe creases of the gussets'," an along-otherlines providing for predeterminate"conformationof parts upon closure of said'ineuth to provide predetermined endwise" intucksg" I 1 QQ-Ina -rnulti-ply paper bag having creased sideguss'ets anda mouth, p'recleterminately -shaped and spaced areas of' adhesivebetwe'en at least some plies',said adhesive areas being spaced from one another at 'the creases of the gussets,

, and" along' diagonal lines providing for predeterininate'confor'riiation of parts upon closure of saidmouth to "provide predetermined endwise fully-folded intucks.

103- In a; multi-ply bag having 'side gussets, said =gu'ssts beingarticulated each at three creases and the'bag having an open mouth, a plurality of spaced areas of adhesivebetween at least two pliesof the bag, said areas limiting conformation of the bag mouth upon closure to definite lines including said creases.

11. In a, multi-ply bag having side folds, said folds being at each side of the'bag and the bag.

having an open mouth, a plurality of spaced areas of adhesive between at least two plies of the bag, said areas limiting conformation of the bag mouth upon closure to definite lines including said creases.

12. In a multi-ply bag havingside gussets, said gussetsbeing articulated each at three creases and the bag having an open mouth, a plurality of spaced areas of adhesive between at least two plies'of the bag, said areas limiting conformation of the bag upon closure to lines including said creases, said adhesive areas being spaced peripherally around the mouth of the bag and having upper edgesspaced endwise from the mouth to ill provide for a predetermined closed-mouth conformation consisting or a hip shape and intucked ends.

13. In a multi-ply bag having side folds, said folds forming edge articulations, the bag having an open mouth, a plurality of spaced areas of adhesive between at least two plies of the bag, said areas limiting conformation of the bag upon closure to lines includingsaid folds, said adhesive areas being spaced peripherally around the mouth of the bag and being all shaped as rectangles.

14. In a multi-ply bag having side folds, said folds forming edge articulations, the bag having an open mouth, a plurality of spaced areas of adhesive between at least two piles of the bag, said areas limiting conformation of the bag upon closure to lines including said folds, said adhesive areas being spaced peripherally around the mouth of the bag and being all shaped as rectangles, those near the side folds being vertically positioned and the others being horizontally positioned.

15. In a multi-ply bag having side folds and an open mouth, a plurality of spaced areas of adhesive between at least two piles of the bag, said areas limiting conformation of the bag upon closure to lines including said creases. said adhesive areas being spaced peripherally around the mouth of the bag to provide for a predetermined closed-mouth conformation. the areas ad- Jacent the folds being rectangular.

16. In a multl-ply bag having side folds and an open mouth, a plurality of spaced areas of adhesive between at least two plies of the bag, said areas limiting conformation of the bag upon closure to lines including said creases, said adhesive areas being spaced peripherally around the mouth of the bag to provide for a predetermined closed-mouth conformation, the areas adjacent the folds being rectangular, and the others nonrectangular.

17. A multi-ply bag comprising relatively flexible individual plies, predetermined areas of stiffening adhesive between at least two plies of the bag, said areas having predetermined shapes and flexible spaces therebetween providing for a predetermined shape of at least part of the bag after filling, said shape comprising substantially plane areas joined at corners determined by said spaces.

LOUIS J. FINN. ARNOLD N. WEEKS. 

